If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

87 535i VS 87 535is?

According to the Bently, the serial # says I have a 535is. The only performance item not seen on all 535's is the LSD (not the Timothy Leary kind) and the 5 speed. Most is's show a rear spoiler and a front valance like the M5. Or have most people upgraded to the M5 style body stuff? The owner's manual doesn't give any specifications for an "is" - only gives specs for 528e, 535 and M5. I did pick up a 535is/M5 valance at the junkyard on friday though, $30 with fog lights. Someone got the easy part before I got there, the rear deck spoiler.

Not exactly, Joe.

"Plus, the 535is had the M Tech suspension with Bilstein Sport Shocks and springs..."

No; it didn't. The 535is had a suspension identical to the 535i except for slightly more aggressively valved Bilstein shocks (NOT Sports, which are shorter, and NOT Heavy Duty, which are more firm) and a few (not all) had a *slightly* larger front antiroll bar.--
C.R. Krieger
'78 R100RS Motorsport

Re: Not exactly, Joe.

The 1987 5 Series Sales Catalog and tech information states that the 535is came with an M Tech Sport suspension.... Was that just sales mumbo jumbo? My car is stock, still has original shocks and it sits an inch lower than my stock (Still original shocks) 87 535i...

Not the "M5" suspension

The 535is came with progressive rate springs and Bilstein shocks. Ride height is the same as the M5. The sway bars (aka anti roll bars) are the same as the 535i. I guess you can call this an M-Tech suspension... but it is not the same as the M5. The M5 had much larger sway bars, different rate springs and a self leveling rear suspension.

Re: Not the M5 suspension

Re:sport shock are not shorter, just stiffer

Amazing the long lasting untruth that Bilstein sports are shorter. Right now I have a set of rear HD and sports and they are the same length. The sports are stiffer and have 5 instead of 3 spring perches. I have the front Bilstiens that came out of my Euro 535 and some sports, and the sports in this case are longer and stiffer. Of course this could be debated but I have had many sets on the floor at once and am here to tell you they are the same length. Don't take my word, check with shox.com. The 535is had the same size sway bars as the regular 535 and the M5 had much larger bars.

Sport shocks are advertised as shorter to be used

with lowering springs. I picked up a set of sport shocks and Eibach springs for my 535, will compare when I get around to installing. Also picked up Euro bumpers, headlights (7" and 5 1/4") front valance with wrap around turn/parking lights and fogs and a front spoiler. And the rear deck spoiler. It'll all look good with the BBS RS005's. Gave the metrics away.

Sorry; I don't check in much.

As for the "M Tech" suspension, yeah; that's about it. Puffery. Different shocks in most cases. A different antiroll bar in some. Otherwise just the same. Does your 'i' have gas shocks (Boge Turbo, f'rinstance)? That could be the difference in ride height.--
C.R. Krieger
'78 R100RS Motorsport